Photoprotector and/or photoimmunoprotector compositions of the skin and their uses

ABSTRACT

The composition comprises of a component A selected from a hydroxylated derivative of benzoic acid or of cinamic acid, their esters, amides or salts, a glycoside of a hexose, and their mixtures; and a component B selected from quinic acid, shikimic acid, their alkaline metal or alkaline earth salts, their methyl esters, and mixtures of the same. This composition is suitable for protecting the skin against ultraviolet radiation coming from the sun or artificial sources, such as those used in phototherapy units and in sun tanning rooms. For application in the field of dermatology and nutrition, and, in particular, in the photoprotection of the skin and mucosa, photo-ageing and photocarcinogenesis, including protection of the immune system associated with the skin.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

In general, the invention is related to the field of dermatology andphotobiology, and, in particular, to the area of photoprotection of theskin and mucosa, including the protection of the immune systemassociated with the skin. More specifically, the invention is related toa suitable composition to protect the skin against ultraviolet radiationcoming from the sun or artificial sources, such as those used inphototherapy units and in sun tanning rooms.

HISTORY OF THE INVENTION

It is becoming increasingly evident that a large number of diseases ofthe skin are a result of the interaction of ultraviolet (UV) (290-400nm) and visible (vis) (400-700 nm) radiation on the skin (Gonzalez E,Gonzalez S. Drug photosensitivity, idiopathic photodermatoses andsunscreens. J Am Acad Dermatol 1996; 35: 871-85). In fact, numerousscientific studies suggest that the uncontrolled exposure to solarradiation and ultraviolet radiation coming from artificial lamps isharmful to the human skin and produce burns, damage to the epidermal anddermal cells, induction of cell death, changes in pigmentation,immunosuppression, premature ageing, and, eventually, skin cancer (YoungA R. Chronic effects of ultraviolet radiation on the skin. Experimentalaspects. In: Dermatology in general medicine: Edited by Fitzpatrick T B,Esen A Z, Wolff K, Freedberg I M, Austen K F. New York. McGraw-HillInc., 1993, pp. 1658-1660). While UVB (290-320) radiation is consideredthe most dangerous component of sunlight as regards the development ofacute and chronic skin changes, including skin cancer, UVA (320-400)radiation produces a wide variety of biochemical and biological effectsincluding the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA damage,lipid peroxidation, an increase and condensing of the elastic fibres andcollagen cross-linking, which leads to changes of the oxidative naturedue to photo-ageing. Therefore the responses of the skin to solarradiation (basically, to radiation in the UV region) are recognised asan inflammatory reaction mediated by several possible mechanisms whichinclude: a) direct action of the photons absorbed by the DNA of the skincells; b) the generation of ROS and free radicals (for example,superoxide anion (O₂), singlet oxygen (¹O₂), hydroxyl (OH) or peroxy(OOH) radicals; and c) the synthesis of prostaglandins (PGD₂, PGE₂),histamines, leukotrienes and cytokines (Black A K, Fircham N, Greaves MW, Hensby C N. Time course changes in levels of arachidonic acid andprostaglandins D2, E2 and F2 alpha in human skin following ultraviolet Bradiation. Br J Clin Pharmacol 10: 453-457, 1980; Hawk J M, Black A K,Jaenicke K F, Berr R M, Soter N A, Mallet A I, Gilchrist B A, Hensby CN, Parrish J A, Greaves M W. Increased concentration of arachidonic acidand prostaglandins E2, D2 and 6-oxo-F1alpha, and histamine in skinfollowing UVA radiation. J Invest Dermatol 80: 496-499, 1983; Pentland AP, Needham P. Modulation of keratinocyte proliferation in vitro byendogenous prostaglandin synthesis. J Clin Invest 77: 246-251, 1986;Pentland A P, Jacobs S C. Bradykinin-induced prostaglandin synthesis isenhanced in keratinocytes and fibroblasts by UV injury. Am J Physiol281:R543-251, 1991; Kupper T S. Role of epidermal cytokinesimmunophysiology. Edited by Openheim J J, Shervach G M. New York, OxfordUniversity Press, 1990, pp. 285-305; Soter N A. Acute effects ofultraviolet radiation on the skin. Semin Dermatol 9(1): 11-15, 1990;Tedesco A C, Martinez L, Gonzalez S. Photochemistry and Photobiology ofactinic erythema. Defensive and reparative cutaneous mechanisms. Braz JMed Biol Res 30:561-575, 1997).

Currently, the most widely accepted method of photoprotection againstthe damaging effects of UV radiation is based on the topical applicationof two or more chemical products which act as a topical solar barrierwhich contains chemical compounds which absorb UVA and UVB radiation andare not photo-labile (for example, octyl methoxycinnamate, octyldimethylamine-benzoate, benzophenones, or avobenzone (Parsol 1789),etc.), optionally mixed with chemical compounds which disperse andreflect UV radiation (for example, ZnO₂, TiO₂, in micronised form)incorporated into a base resistant to water (Pathak M A. Sunscreens:Progress and perspectives on photoprotection of human skin against UVBand UVA radiation. J Dermatol 23 (11): 783-800; 1996; Gilaberte Y,Coscojuela C, Saenz de Santamaria M C, Gonzalez S. Photoprotectores.Actas Dermosifiliogr 94(5): 271-293, 2003). The simple topicalapplication of effective sun screens, with a sun protector factor (SPF)between 15 and 30, or higher, can provide reasonable skin protectionagainst the acute harmful effects of UV radiation. Other alternativesinclude avoiding exposure to sunlight and using tanning lotions, withoutsun, which contain dihydroxy acetone in combination with chemicalcompounds which absorb UVB radiation, and chemical compounds withantioxidant properties, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, β-carotene, etc.(Rhodes L E. Topical and systemic approaches for protection againstsolar radiation induced skin damage. Clin Dermatol 16: 75-82, 1998;Thompson S C, Jolley D, Marks R. Reduction of solar keratoses by regularsunscreen use. N Engl J Med 329(16): 1147-51, 1993; Gilaberte Y,Coscojuele C, Saenz de Santamaria M C, Gonzalez S. Photoprotectores.Actas Dermosifiliogr 94(5). 271-293, 2003). The presence of effectiveantioxidants in the skin before exposure to UV radiation can reduce theadverse effects of the radiation, probably by decreasing the generationof ROS induced by the UV radiation (Tedesco A C, Martinez L, Gonzalez S.Photochemistry and Photobiology of actinic erythema. Defensive andreparative mechanisms. Braz J Med Biol Res 30: 561-575, 1997; Dreher FMalbach H. Protective effects of topical antioxidants in humans. CurrProbl Dermatol 29: 157-164, 2001).

Different studies have demonstrated that the repeated systemicadministration of antioxidants, such as vitamin C and E, β-carotene,polyphenolic antioxidants, isoflavones, etc. partially inhibit orminimise many cutaneous inflammatory reactions mediated by UV radiation(for example, sun burns, cutaneous phototoxic reactions which involvephotosensitisation by drugs, epidermal oedema and vesicle formation)(Darr D, Pinnell S R. Reactive oxygen species and antioxidantsprotection in photodermatology. Sunscreens. Edited by Lowe N J, Shaat NA, Pathak M A. New York. Marcel Dekker Inc., 1997, pp. 155-173; Green A,Williams G, Neale R, Hart V, Leslie D, Parsons P, Marks G C, Gaffney P,Battistutta D, Frost C, Lang C, Russell A. Daily sunscreen applicationand beta-carotene supplementation in prevention of basal cell andsquamous cell carcinomas of the skin: a randomised controlled trial.Lancet 354(9180): 723-9, 1999; Stahl W, Heinrich U, Jungmann H, Sies H,Tronnier H. Carotenoids and carotenoids plus vitamin E protect againstultraviolet light induced erythema in humans. Am J Clin Nutr 71:795-798, 2000). Although these studies in animal experiments haverecently been widened to include cosmetic and nutraceutical benefits andtherapeutic interventions (for example, in photo-ageing of the skin, incarcinogenesis of the skin), only a few natural antioxidant compounds(for example, polyphenolic antioxidants, silimarine, from Milk Thistle,epigallocatechin-3-gallate, from green tea, lutein and differentisoflavones) seem promising in the prevention of damages to the skininduced by UV radiation (Gonzalez S, Astner S, Wu A, Goukassian D,Pathak M A. Oral administration of Lutein modulates cell proliferationinduced by acute UVB radiation in the Skh-1 hairless mouse animal model.J Invest Dermatol 121(2): 399-405, 2003; Wang Y, Zhang X, Lebwohi M,DeLeo V, Wei H. Inhibition of ultraviolet B (UVB) induced c-fos andc-jun expression in vivo by a tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein.Carcinogenesis 19(4): 649-654, 1998; Wang Z Y, Huang M T, Lou Y R, Xle JG, Reuhl K R, Newmark H L, Ho C T, Yang C S, Conney A H. Inhibitoryeffects of black tea, green tea, decaffeinated black tea anddecaffeinated green tea on ultraviolet B light induced skincarcinogenesis in 7,12-dimethylbenz [a] anthracene initiated SKH-1 mice.Cancer Res 54(13): 3425-3435, 1994; Wai H. Photoprotective action ofisoflavone genistein: models, mechanism, and relevance to clinicaldermatology. J Am Acad Dermatol 39(2 Pt 1): 271-272, 1998).

Besides the recognised direct carcinogenetic effects of UV radiation(Mukhtar H, Elmets C A. Photocarcinogenesis: mechanisms, models andhuman health implications. Photochem Photobiol 1996: 63; 355-447), it isaccepted that the immunosuppression produced by this radiation plays acrucial role in the promotion and development of skin cancer, as well asthe higher susceptibility of the skin to different infectious agents(Mukhtar H, Elmets C A. Photocarcinogenesis: mechanisms, models andhuman health implications. Photochem Photobiol 1996: 83:355-447;Strellen J W, Taylor J R, Vincek V, Kurimoto I, Richardson J, Tie C,Medarna J P, Golomb C. Relationship between ultravioletradiation-induced immunosuppression and carcinogenesis. J InvestDermatol 1994; 105 (S):S107-S111; Perna J J, Mannix M L, Rooney J F,Nolkins A L, Straus S E. Reactivation of latent herpes simplex virusinfection by ultraviolet light: A human model. J Acad Dermatol 1987;17:473-8; Jeevan A, Kripke M L. Effect of a single exposure toultraviolet radiation on Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerininfection in mice. J Immunol 1989; 143:2837-43; Villarubla V G, GonzalezS, Cuevas J. Alteraciones inmunologicas inducidas por la radiacionultrvioleta. Relaciones patogenicas con el fotoenvejecimiento y elcancer de piel. Piel 1996: 11:462-70). This photoimmunosuppressionprocess is basically demonstrated by a reduction in the number ofLangerhans cells (Duthie M S, Kimber I, Norval M. The effects ofultraviolet radiation on the human immune system. Br J Dermatol 1999;140:995-1009; Norval M. Effects of solar radiation on the human immunesystem. J Photocmem Photobiol B: Biology 2001; 63:28-40) by differentmechanisms and which logically lead to slight changes associated withthe lower capacity to trap antigens, and with alterations in theprocessing and presentation of them to the virgin collaborator Tlymphocytes in the lymphatic ganglia adjacent to area of irradiatedskin. One of the mediators that are considered is urocanic acid (UCA,deaminated histidine), common in the stratum corneum, which is theprincipal chromophore for the photons of the UV region. UCA is produceby the action of histidase on the histidine amino acid; the absence ofurocanase at epidermal level prevents UCA being transformed and theimidazolone compound of propionic acid is produced. Differentinvestigators (Baden H P, Pathak M A. The metabolism and function ofurocanic acid in skin. J Invest Dermatol 1987; 45:11-17; Morrison H,Avnir D, Fagan B G. Z/E Photoisomerisation of urocanic acid. PhotochemPhotobiol 1980; 32:711-714; Morrison H, Panday B G. Urocanic acidPhotobiology. Photoaddition of N, N-Dimethylthymine to urocanic acid.Photochem Photobiol 1983; 38:23-27; Finlay-Jones, Hart P H. Ultravioletirradiation, systemic immunosuppression and skin cancer: role ofurocanic acid. Australas J Dermatol 1997; 38 Suppl 1:S7-S12) suggest UCAas a natural solar photoprotector agent, since its absorption spectrumconsists of wavelengths from 240 nm to 400 nm (maximum absorption 275nm) and covers the principal erythematogenic region 290-310 nm. Thetrans-isomers of UCA present naturally in the skin undergo aphotoisomerisation reaction after absorption of photons changing to acis-isomer, which has been shown to produce many of the immunomodulatoryeffects of UV radiation (Norval M. Effects of solar radiation on thehuman immune system. J Photochem Photobiol B; Biology 2001; 63:28-40;Finlay-Jones, Hart P H. Ultraviolet irradiation, systemicimmunosuppression and skin cancer: role of urocanic acid. Australas JDermatol 1997; 38 Suppl 1:S7-S12).

There is, therefore the need to develop efficient photoprotectorcompositions to prevent or minimise the damaging effects of UV radiationon the skin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention addresses the problem of providing an efficientcomposition to prevent or minimise the damaging effects produced by UVradiation on the skin.

The solution provided by the invention is based on the fact thatinventors have observed that the combination of a series of components,in determined concentrations, produces a composition which demonstratesan antioxidant and photoprotector effect on the cutaneous cells both invitro and in vivo, which helps to prevent or minimise the reactionswhich take place in the skin after a single or repeated exposure to UVradiation. Additionally, the aforementioned composition can beadministered topically or orally without losing its photoprotectoractivity.

Therefore, in one aspect, the invention is associated with aphotoprotector and/or photoimmunoprotector composition suitable forpreventing or minimising the damaging effects produced by UV radiationon the skin. The aforementioned composition can be used in thepreparation of pharmaceutical or cosmetic compositions, as well as foodsupplements used in the preparation of functional foods.

In another aspect, the invention is associated with an aqueous solutionof the aforementioned photoprotector and/or photoimmunoprotectorcomposition adjusted to a pH of between 4.6 and 6.8, preferably between5 and 6.5 and more preferably between 5 and 5.5.

In another aspect, the invention is associated with a pharmaceuticalcomposition which comprises of the aforementioned photoprotector and/orphotoimmunoprotector composition along with one or more pharmaceuticallyaccepted excipients.

In another aspect, the invention is associated with the use of theaforementioned photoprotector and/or photoimmunoprotector composition inthe preparation of a drug or pharmaceutical composition to prevent orminimise the damaging effects produced by UV radiation on the skin.

In another aspect, the invention is associated with a cosmeticcomposition which comprises of the aforementioned photoprotector and/orphotoimmunoprotector composition along with one or more cosmeticallyaccepted vehicles.

In another aspect, the invention is associated with a food supplement ora functional food which comprises of the aforementioned photoprotectorand/or photoimmunoprotector composition along with one or moreacceptable vehicles. These food supplements can be, for example, aminoacids, other plant extracts, antioxidant molecules, prebiotic lacticbacterias, yeast for food use, etc. The functional foods can be, forexample, milk, cheese, yoghourt, fermented products based on milk, icecreams, products based on fermented cereals, biscuits, fruit juices,cold drinks, plant infusions such as camomile, mint, etc.

In another aspect, the invention is associated with a method to protectthe skin in an individual from UV radiation which consists ofadministering to the aforementioned individual an efficient therapeuticquantity of a photoprotector and/or photoimmunoprotector composition, oran aqueous solution of the aforementioned composition, or of apharmaceutical composition provided by this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention provides a composition, from now on thecomposition of the invention, which comprises of a component A and acomponent B, where:

(A) aforementioned component A is selected from a group formed by:

-   -   A.1) a component A.1 of formula (1)

Where

-   -   R¹ is H or CH₃    -   X represents        -   OH:        -   OR², where R² is alkyl C₁-C₂ or the residue of a            hydroxylated carboxylic acid of formula            -   NH₂;        -   m is 0 or 1; y        -   q is 0 or 1: o    -   a salt of the same;    -   (A.2) a component A.2 of formula (II)        -   where        -   R³ is H or CH₃;        -   Y represents            -   OH;            -   OR², where R² has the previously mentioned                significances; or            -   NH₂;        -   n is 0 or 1; y        -   r is 0 or 1; o    -   a salt of the same;    -   (A.3) a component A.3 of formula (III)    -   where R represents        -   (I) a residue of formula (I)        -   where R¹, X, m and q have the previously mentioned            significances; or        -   (II) a residue of formula (II)    -   where R³, Y, n and r have the previously mentioned        significances;    -   (A.4) a component A.4 of formula (IV)    -   where R has the previously indicated significance;

(A.5) a component A.5 of formula (V)

-   -   -   where R has the previously indicated significance; and

(A.6) mixtures of the same; and

(B) the aforementioned component B is selected from a group made up ofquinic acid, shikimic acid, their alkaline metal or alkaline earthsalts, their methyl esters and mixtures of the same.

The components A and B can be present in the composition of theinvention in a component A: component B ratio of 1-10:1 by weight, forexample from 1.6-9.5:1 by weight, from 2-9:1 by weight, from 2.4-7.5:1by weight, from 2.8.6:1 by weight, from 3.2-5:1 by weight.

The component (A.1) is a hydroxylated derivative (mono-, di-, ortrihydroxylated) of benzoic acid (X═OH), an ester (X═OR²), and amide(X═NH₂) or a salt of the same. In a particular realisation, X is OR²where R² is alkyl C₁-C₂ or the residue of a hydroxylated carboxylicacid, such as a residue of 1,3,4,5-tetrahydroxycyclohexane-carboxylicacid, for example, of quinic acid [1R-(1a,3α,4α,5β)-tetrahydroxycyclohexane-carboxylic acid] in any of itsconfigurations, or of 3,4,5-trihydroxy-1-cyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid,for example, shikimic acid[3R-(3a,4a,5p)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-1-cyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid]. Inanother particular realisation X is NH₂. The salts of the hydroxylatedderivative of benzoate acid (A.1) include the alkaline metal or alkalineearth salts, for example, sodium, potassium or calcium, preferably,their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. The OH and R¹ groups (for theirpart) can be bound to any of the carbon atoms of the benzene ring withthe exception of the carbon atom which is bound to the —COX group.

The (A.2) component is a hydroxylated derivative (mono-, di-, ortrihydroxylated) of cinamic acid (Y═OH), an ester (Y═OR²), and amide(Y═NH₂) or a salt of the same. In a particular realisation, Y is OR²where R² is alkyl C₁-C₂ or the residue of a hydroxylated carboxylicacid, such as a residue of 1,3,4,5-tetrahydroxycyclohexane-carboxylicacid, for example, of quinic acid, in any of its configurations, or3,4,5-trihydroxy-1-cyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid, for example, ofshikimic acid. In another particular realisation Y is NH₂. The salts ofthe hydroxylated derivative of cinamic acid (A.2) include the alkalinemetal or alkaline earth salts, for example, sodium, potassium orcalcium, preferably, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. The OH andR² groups (for their part) can be bound to any of the carbon atoms ofthe benzene ring with the exception of the carbon atom which is bound tothe chain which contains the carbonyl group. The hydroxylatedderivatives of cinamic acid and their derivatives (A.2) have cis-transisomerism. Any of the isomers, cis, trans or their mixtures, preferablythe trans isomer, can be used as component (A.2) in the composition ofthe invention.

The component (A.3) is a glycoside of an aldohexose, preferably glucose,in any of its configurations (D or L). The R residue corresponds to theresidue of formula (I) or the residue of formula (II).

Component (A.4) is a glycoside of a ketohexose, preferably of fructose,in any of its configurations (D or L). The R residue corresponds to theresidue of formula (I) or to the residue of formula (II).

The component (A.5) is a glycoside of a 6-deoxyhexose, preferably ofrhamnose, in any of its configurations (D or L). The R residuecorresponds to the residue of a compound of formula (I) or to theresidue of a compound of formula (II).

In general, component A can be made up of one or more components (A.1),or even one or more components (A.2), or one or more components (A.3),or one or more components (A.4), or one or more components (A.5), oreven any mixture of two or more of the aforementioned components (A.1)to (A.5), where each one of the components A.1 to A.5 can be composedof, for their part, by one or more compounds of the same group. However,in a particular realisation, component A comprises of (i) at least twodifferent components (A.1), and (ii) at least two different components(A.2). In this case the component (A.1):component (A.2) molar ratio isbetween 0.5 and 2.

Component B is selected from a group made up of quinic acid, shikimicacid, their alkaline metal or alkaline earth salts, their methyl esters,and mixtures of the same. In general quinic or shikimic acid, and theirderivatives (salts and esters) have the same free hydroxyl groups.Quinic acid and its derivatives have optical stereoisomerism. Any of theisolated optical stereoisomers, as well as their mixtures, can be usedin the composition of the invention. Shikimic acid and its derivativeshave optical stereoisomerism. Any of the isolated optical stereoisomers,as well as their mixtures, can be used in the composition of theinvention.

In a particular realisation of the invention, component B is selectedbetween quinic acid, in any of its possible configurations (D or L) inthe carbon 1 atom (C1), a salt of an alkaline metal or alkaline earth,for example, sodium, potassium or calcium, of the aforementioned quinicacid, a metal ester of shikimic acid, and mixtures of the same. Inanother particular realisation, component B is selected between shikimicacid, a salt of an alkaline metal or alkaline earth, for example,sodium, potassium or calcium, of the aforementioned shikimic acid, ametal ester of shikimic acid, and mixtures of the same. In anotherparticular realisation, component B comprises of a mixture of theaforementioned quinic acid and/or its derivatives (salts or esters) andthe aforementioned shikimic acid and/or its derivatives (salts oresters).

If desired, the composition of the invention, besides component A and B,can also contain one or more components selected from a group made up ofComponent C, component D, component E, component F and their mixtures,where:

said component C is selected from the group made up of:

(C.1) component C.1 of the formula (VI)

where

-   -   R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, and R¹¹, equal or different,        independent of each other, represent H, OH, OR⁵, —CH═CH—COY, or        —COY where R⁵ and Y have the significances previously mentioned,        or a salt of the same, with the condition that (i) at least two        of R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, or R¹¹ are, simultaneously,        OH, (ii) one of R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, or R¹¹ is        OR³, (iii) the maximum number of hydroxyl groups present is 3,        and (iv) one of R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, or R¹¹ is        —CH═CH—COY or —COY;

(C.2) component C.2 of formula (VII)

where

-   -   R⁶ represents H or a OH, OR³, or —CH═CH—COY group where R³ and Y        have the significances previously mentioned, or a salt of the        same;

(C.3) component C.3 of formula (VIII)

where

-   -   R¹² and R¹³, equal or different, independently of each other,        represent H or        -   CH₃;        -   Z represents —CH₂—, O, S or NH;        -   o is 0 or 1; and        -   p is 0 or 1, and

(C.4) their mixtures;

aforementioned component D is selected between one or more freemonosaccharides;

aforementioned component E is selected from the group made up of an acidof the Krebs cycle, an alkaline metal or alkaline earth salt of an acidof the Krebs cycle, a mono-, di-, or trimethyl ester of an acid of theKrebs cycle, aldaric acid, a salt or alkaline or alkaline earth metalsalt of aldaric acid, a lactone derivative of aldaric acid, aldonicacid, an alkaline metal or alkaline earth salt of aldonic acid, alactone derivative of aldonic acid, or mixtures of these compounds; and

aforementioned component F is selected from a group made up of a watersoluble vitamin, a water soluble derivative of a lipid soluble vitamin,and their mixtures.

Component C, is selected from a group made up of component (C.1), (C.2),(C.3) and their mixtures, in the case of being present in thecomposition of the invention, it could be present in a quantity ofbetween 0.1% and 10% by weight as regards the total composition of theinvention, preferably, between 0.5% and 5%.

Component (C.1.) is a derivative of 3-[(di- ortri)hydroxynaphthyl)-2-ene-propanoic acid (Y═OH), an ester (Y═OR²), anamide (Y═NH₂) or a salt of the same, or a derivative of 3-(di- ortri)hydroxynaphthoic acid (Y═OH), an ester (Y═OR²), an amide (Y═NH₂) ora salt of the same. In a particular realisation, Y is OR² where R² is analkyl C₁-C₂ or the residue of a hydroxylated carboxylic acid, such asthe residue of 1,3,4,5-tetrahydroxycyclohexane carboxylic acid, forexample of quinic acid, in any of its configurations, or3,4,5-trihydroxy-1-cyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid, for example, ofshikimic acid. In another realisation Y is NH₂. The salts of thederivative of 3-[(di- or tri)hydroxynaphthyl)-2-ene-propanoic acid orthe derivative of 3-(di- or tri)hydroxynaphthoic acid (C.1) include thesalts of the alkaline or alkaline earth metals, for example sodium,potassium or calcium, preferably, pharmaceutically acceptable salts ofthe same. The OH and OR² groups (for their part) can be bound to any ofthe carbon atoms of the benzene ring with the exception of the carbonatom which is bound to the chain which contains the group —CH═CH—COY or—COY. The hydroxylated derivatives of 3-[(di- ortri)hydroxynaphthyl)-2-ene-propanoic acid or the derivative of 3-(di- ortri)hydroxynaphthoic acid (C.1) have cis-trans isomers. Any of the cis,trans isomers or their mixtures, preferably the trans isomers can beused as component (C.1) in the composition of the invention.

Component (C.2) is a derivative of 3-(hydroxyimidazolyl)-2-ene-propanoicacid (Y═OH), an ester (Y═OR²), an amide (Y═NH₂) or a salt of the same.In a particular realisation, Y is OR² where R2 is an alkyl C₁-C₂ or theresidue of a hydroxylated carboxylic acid, such as the residue of1,3,4,5-tetrahydroxycyclohexane carboxylic acid, for example of quinicacid, in any of its configurations, or3,4,5-trihydroxy-1-cyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid, for example, ofshikimic acid. In another realisation Y is NH₂. The salts of thederivative of 3-(hydroxyimidazolyl)-2-ene-propanoic acid (C.2.) includethe salts of the alkaline or alkaline earth metals, for example sodium,potassium or calcium, preferably, pharmaceutically acceptable salts ofthe same. The hydroxylated derivatives of3-(hydroxyimidazolyl)-2-ene-propanoic acid (C.2.) have cis-transisomers. Any of the cis, trans isomers or their mixtures, preferably thetrans isomers can be used as component (C.2) in the composition of theinvention.

Component (C.3), depending on the significance of Z, can include a—CH2—, O, S, or NH group. The compounds of formula (VIII) [component(C.1)] contains two double bonds, therefore they have two cis-transisomer centres. Any of the possible isomers (cis-cis, cis-trans,trans-cis and trans-trans isomers), preferably, the trans-trans isomers,can be used as (C.3) component in the composition of the invention.

In general, the C component can be made up of one or more differentcomponents (C.1), or by one or more different (C.3) components, or bymixtures of one or more (C.1) and (C.2) components, or by mixtures ofone or more (C.2) and (C.3) components, or by mixtures of one or more(C.1), (C.2) and (C.3) components. However, in a particular realisation,component C comprises of at least a (C.3) component. The presence of theC component in the composition of the invention could reinforce orincrease its photoprotector activity.

Component D, in case it is present in the composition of the invention,could be present in an amount comprising between 35% and 90% by weightin respect to the total composition of the invention, preferably between45% and 65%. Component D provides a physiological reductor medium whichfavours the stabilisation of the molecules of components A and/or C (fortheir part).

Component D comprises of one or more free monosaccharides, in any oftheir configurations. In a particular realisation, component D isselected from glucose, rhamnose and fructose, in any of their possibleconfigurations.

Component E, in case it is present in the composition of the invention,could be present in an amount comprising between 5% and 30% by weight inrespect to the total composition of the invention, preferably between10% and 20%. Component E provides a decrease in the pH which favours thestability of the invention.

Component E can be made up of one or more acids of the Krebs cycle, forexample, citric, isocitric, α-oxoglutaric, succinic, fumaric, malic oroxaloacetic acid, preferably , citric acid, fumaric or malic, and/or byone or more of their alkaline metal or alkaline earth salts, forexample, sodium, potassium or calcium and/or one or more of their mono-,di-, or tri-metallic esters. Alternatively, the said component E can bemade up of (i) an aldaric acid, that is to say, a polyhydroxylateddicarboxylic acid, optionally unsaturated, coming from an aldose byoxidation of the carbon atoms of the ends of the aldose to thecarboxylic groups, or one of its alkaline metal or alkaline earth salts,for example, sodium, potassium or calcium, or their correspondinglactonised forms, or their mixtures, and/or by (ii) an aldonic acid,that is to say, a polyhydroxylated dicarboxylic acid, optionallyunsaturated, coming from an aldose by oxidation of the aldehydefunction, or one its alkaline metal or alkaline earth salts, forexample, sodium, potassium or calcium, or their corresponding lactoneforms, or their mixtures. Among the aldaric acids which can, eventually,be present in the composition of the invention are the aldaric acidswith 5 and 6 carbon atoms, for example, xilaric, glucaric, galactaricacid, etc., optionally in the form of an alkaline metal or alkalineearth salt, or in one of its lactone forms, for example,3-oxo-L-gulofuranolactone, etc. Among the aldonic acids which can,eventually, be present in the composition of the invention are thealdonic acids with 5 and 6 carbon atoms, for example, xilonic, gluconicacid, etc., optionally in the form of an alkaline metal or alkalineearth salt, or in one of its lactone forms, for example,D-glucone-1,4-lactone, D-glucone-1,5-lactone, etc.

Component E can, therefore, be made up of one or more acids from theKrebs cycle, preferably, citric, fumaric or malic acid, and/or one ormore of their and/or by one or more of their alkaline metal or alkalineearth salts, for example, sodium, potassium or calcium and/or one ormore of their mono-, di-, or tri-metallic esters, and/or by one or morealdaric acids, and/or by one or more aldonic acids, and or one or morealkaline metal or alkaline earth salts of these aldaric and/or aldonicacids, and/or by one or more aldaric acids and/or aldonic acids in theirlactone forms.

Component F, in case it is present in the composition of the invention,could be present in a quantity of between 4% and 20%, preferably,between 6% and 12% by weight in respect of the total of the compositionof the invention. Component F has an anti-radical effect which favoursthe stability of the mixture and complements the anti-radical defencesof the body.

Component F can be made up of one or more water soluble vitamins, suchas ascorbic acid and or one or more water soluble derivatives of lipidsoluble vitamins, such as alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, zeaxanthin,lutein, lycopene, alpha-tocopherol, etc. In a particular realisation,component F comprises of a water soluble vitamins, such as ascorbic acid(vitamin C) or a water soluble derivative of a lipid soluble vitamin,such as a water soluble derivative of tocopherol (Trolox) or a mixtureof such water soluble vitamins and water soluble derivatives of lipidsoluble vitamins. Vitamin C and/or the water soluble derivatives ofvitamin E act as stabilisers and antioxidant agents of the compositionof the invention.

The combination of components A and B constitute the photoprotector baseof the composition of the invention. Component C, for its part, appearsto reinforce or increase the photoprotector activity of the combinationof components A and B. The absence of stabilising additives and/orpreservatives could cause a significant reduction of the average life ofthe composition of the invention. For this reason, in a particularrealisation of the invention, the composition of the invention includesan additive, such as a preserving and/or stabilising agent, whichcontributes to increasing the average life of the composition of theinvention to maintain its photoprotector properties for a longer time.In this way, the photoprotector activity of the composition of theinvention would be more efficient by being more stable and would remainactive for a longer time. Illustrative examples of these additivesinclude compounds which contribute to the stability of the compositionof the invention due to their reducing power (component D) or theiracidity (component E). The addition of vitamins or their derivativeswith preservative and/or antioxidant applications (component F) alsocontribute to stabilising and preserving the composition of theinvention.

The composition of the invention includes any possible combination ofthe different components. In a way of illustration, the composition ofthe invention, includes the following combinations of components:

component A+component B,

component A+component B+component C,

component A+component B+component D,

component A+component B+component E,

component A+component B+component F,

component A+component B+component C+component D,

component A+component B+component C+component E,

component A+component B+component C+component F,

component A+component B+component D+component E,

component A+component B+component D+component F,

component A+component B+component E+component F,

component A+component B+component C+component D+component E,

component A+component B+component C+component D+component F,

component A+component B+component D+component E+component F,

and

component A+component B+component C+component D+component E+component F.

A class of compositions of the invention includes the binary mixtures ofcomponent A and B where the ratio of component A: component B is 1-10:1by weight. In a particular realisation, the invention provides a binarycomposition composed of 65-90% by weight of component A and 35-10% byweight of component B, preferably, between 74-88% by weight of componentA and between 28-14% by weight of component B.

Another class of combinations of the invention includes ternary mixturesmade up of components A and B and a third component selected betweencomponent C, component D, component E and component F. The quantity ofcomponent C, D, E or F present in these compositions is that mentionedpreviously to define these components and the rest constitutes themixture of components A and B in the weight ratio defined previously.

Another class of compositions of the invention includes quaternarymixtures made up of components A and B and two other components selectedbetween components C, D, E, and F. Among the quaternary compositionsprovided by this invention, the composition formed by components C, D,E, and F constitute a preferred composition of the invention. In aparticular realisation, the invention provides a quaternary compositionmade up of

-   -   5-35% by weight of component A+component B, where the ratio of    -   component A: component B is 1-10: 1 by weight;    -   35-90% by weight of component D; and    -   5-30% by weight of component E.

An additional class of compositions of the invention includes mixturesof five components formed by components A and B and three othercomponents selected from components C, D, E, and F. Among thecompositions of five components provided by this invention, thecomposition made up of components A, B, D, E and F constitute apreferred composition of the invention. In a particular realisation of,the invention provides a composition of five components made up of

-   -   5-35% by weight of component A+component B, where the ratio of    -   component A: component B is 1-10:1 by weight;    -   30-85% by weight of component D;    -   5-20% by weight of component E; and    -   5-15% by weight of component F.

Finally, another additional class of compositions of the inventionincludes mixtures of six components formed by components A, B, C, D, E,and. F. In a particular realisation, the invention provides acomposition of five components made up from

5-30% by weight of component A+component B, where the ratio of componentA: component B is 1-10:1 by weight;

1-5% by weight of component C;

30-84% by weight of component D;

5-20% by weight of component E; and

5-15% by weight of component F.

The composition of the invention can be in solid phase or in liquidphase. In a particular realisation, the composition of the invention isin the liquid phase, typically, in the form of an aqueous solution witha pH between 4.8 and 6.8, by means of the addition of an acid or basicpH adjusting agent, depending on the process.

The composition of the invention can be obtained by a conventionalprocedure which consists of mixing the different components in theappropriate amounts. In a particular realisation, the composition of theinvention is in the form of an aqueous solution with a pH between 4.8and 6.8, preferably, between 5 and 6.5. This aqueous solution of thecomposition of the invention can be obtained using a procedure whichconsists of weighing the different compounds, measuring an appropriatequantity of water, preferably distilled or deionised, heated to atemperature of between 37° C. and 55° C., mixing gently to avoidsolubilising the oxygen, leaving the composition to cool to ambient(room) temperature and adjusting the pH to between 4.8 and 6.8,preferably between 5 and 6.5, by the addition of a pH adjusting agent.The pH adjusting agent can be an organic or inorganic acid, for example,acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, etc., or an organic or inorganic bases,for example, sodium hydroxide, etc., capable of providing the desired pHof the composition of the invention. The composition obtained isfiltered and stored in suitable conditions, for example, at atemperature equal to or lower than −20° C. The addition order of thecomponents can vary depending on, among other factors, the nature andcomposition of the different components used in the preparation of thecomposition of the invention. On occasions it can be necessary to add asurfactant and/or chelating agent to help in the preparation of thecomposition of the invention.

The composition of the invention has antioxidant capacity, determinedusing the FRAP method (see Example 1.2) and is capable of significantlyblocking the photoisomerisation of urocanic acid (UCA) induced by UVradiation (see Example 1.4). The aforementioned composition of theinvention also exercises an in vitro photoprotector effect onkeratinocytes and fibroblasts subjected to severe UV radiation, such ashas been demonstrated by carrying out in vitro studies of cell survivaland proliferation with fibroblasts and keratinocytes (see Example 1.3)and an unexpected in vivo photoprotector effect by inhibition of theimmunosuppressor effect induced by ultraviolet radiation in a mousemodel of contact hypersensitivity to oxazolone (see Example 1.5).Therefore, the composition of the invention can be used in therapeuticapplications, in human or animal health, in the field of dermatology,photomedicine and photobiology, and, in particular, in thephotoprotection, photoimmunoprotection and protection of the skin. Morespecifically, the composition of the invention can be used to protectthe skin against the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation comingfrom the sun or artificial sources, such as those used in phototherapyunits or sun tanning rooms. In a way of illustration, the composition ofthe invention can be used in (1) the prevention of cutaneousimmunosuppression which occurs after exposure to the sun or UV comingfrom an artificial source, which would facilitate the appearance ofsecondary infections and the promotion of skin cancer, (2) as anadjuvant agent in phototherapy (phototherapy with UVB, PUVA (psoralensplus UVA, that is to say, therapy where an individual is sensitised byadministering psoralens and is irradiated with UVA radiation) of chronicdiseases, such as psoriasis and vitiligo, preventing some of the harmfuleffects of the radiation without affecting its therapeutic efficacy, (3)in subjects susceptible to skin cancer during inevitable exposure to thesun, such as very obvious skin phototype subjects (Fitzpatrickphototypes I and II), subjects with a previous history of skin cancer inthe form of actinic keratosis, basal cell and spinal cell carcinomas andmelanoma, subjects on treatment with systemic photosuppressor agents,subjects with genetic abnormalities which favour the appearance of skincancer (pigmentous xeroderma), (4) in subjects with idiopathicphotodermatosis (polymorph luminal eruption, solar urticaria, chronicactinic dermatitis, etc.), (5) in subjects with skin photosensitisationdue to the ingestion of chemical substances (tetracyclines, amiodarone,phenothiazines, quinolones, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,etc.).

Therefore, in another aspect, the invention is associated with apharmaceutical composition which comprises of a therapeuticallyefficient quantity of the composition of the invention together with, atleast, one pharmaceutically accepted excipient. This pharmaceuticalcomposition is useful for its administration and/or application on thebody of an animal, such as a mammal, preferably a human being.

The use of the composition of the invention in the preparation of theaforementioned pharmaceutical composition constitutes an additionalaspect of this invention.

The composition of the invention can be administered to protect the skinfrom ultraviolet radiation by whatever means that brings the compositionof the invention in contact with the site of action of the same in thebody of the animal.

The therapeutically effective quantity of the composition of theinvention which has to be administered, as well as the dosing to treat apathological state with the composition of the invention, will depend onmany factors, including age, state of the patient, the severity of thechanges or disorder, the route and frequency of administration, thecomposition of the invention to use, etc.

The pharmaceutical compositions which contain the composition of theinvention can be in any form of administration, for example, solid orliquid, and can be administered, orally, sublingually, parenterally ortopically, preferably orally, sublingually or topically, more preferablyorally, therefore, it will include the pharmaceutically acceptableexcipients necessary for the formulation of the desired administrationform. A review of the different pharmaceutical forms of administeringdrugs and the excipients necessary to obtain them can be found, forexample, in the “Tratado de Farmacia Galenica”, C. Faull I Trillo, 1993,Luzan 5, S. A. Ediciones, Madrid.

In another aspect, the invention is associated with the use of thecomposition of the invention in the preparation of a drug orpharmaceutical composition to protect the skin from the harmful effectsof ultraviolet radiation; in particular, (1) in the prevention and/ortreatment of cutaneous immunosuppression which occurs after sun or UVexposure coming from an artificial source which facilitates theappearance of secondary infections and the beginning or promotion ofskin cancer, (2) as an adjuvant agent in phototherapy of chronicdiseases, such as psoriasis and vitiligo, preventing some of the harmfuleffects of the radiation without affecting its therapeutic efficacy, (3)as a skin protector in subjects susceptible to skin cancer duringinevitable exposure to the sun, (4) in subjects with idiopathicphotodermatosis (polymorph luminal eruption, solar urticaria, chronicactinic dermatitis, etc.), (5) in subjects with skin photosensitisationdue to the ingestion of chemical substances and drugs, etc.

In another aspect, the composition of the invention could be used in thepreparation of a cosmetic composition with the aim of protecting theskin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation coming from thesun or sources of UV radiation, such as those used in phototherapy unitsor in sun tanning rooms.

Therefore, the invention is also associated with a cosmetic compositionwhich comprises of the invention together with one or moretherapeutically acceptable excipients. The cosmetic composition providedby this invention can be applied topically. Therefore, in a particularrealisation, the invention provides a cosmetic composition, for itstopical application, which comprises of the composition of the inventiontogether with one or more cosmetically acceptable suitable excipients. Areview on cosmetics and excipients necessary for obtaining them can befound in, for example, in “Cosmetologia Teoretico-Practica”, publishedby the General Council of the Official Pharmacy Colleges, 3^(rd) Edition(1985). The aforementioned cosmetic composition can be in anyapplication form by a topical route which is appropriate, for example,creams, gels, emulsions, lotions, milks, oils, etc., as pre-sun as wellas after-sun.

In another aspect, the invention is associated with a food supplement orfunctional food which comprise of the aforementioned photoprotectorand/or photoimmunoprotector composition together with one or moreacceptable vehicles. These food supplements can be, for example, aminoacids, plant extracts, antioxidant molecules, prebiotic lactic bacteria,yeasts for food use, etc., or mixtures of the same. In a way of anexample, the functional foods can have milk, cheese, yoghourt, milkbased fermented products, ice creams, products based on fermentedcereals, biscuits, fruit juices, cold drinks, plant infusions such ascamomile, etc.

In another aspect, the invention is associated with a method to protectthe skin of an individual from UV radiation which comprises ofadministering to that individual an efficient therapeutic quantity of aphotoprotector and/or photoimmunoprotector composition provided by thisinvention, or the aforementioned aqueous solution adjusted to a pHbetween 4.8 and 6.8 of the photoprotector and/or photoimmunoprotectorcomposition provided by this invention.

The following example illustrates the invention and must not beconsidered limiting the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1

Photo (Immune) Protector Compositions and Their Properties

-   -   1.1 Photo (Immune) Protector Compositions

The compositions I-VI which are shown in Table 1 are prepared by meansof measuring and mixing of the different compounds up to homogenisation,adjusting the pH to the values indicated by means of the addition ofsodium hydroxide. TABLE 1 Prepared compositions Component I II III IV VVI A 4-hydroxybenzoic 0.128 g 0.128 g 0.128 g — 0.128 g — acid A 3,4-0.112 g 0.112 g 0.112 g 0.112 g 0.112 g 0.112 g dihydroxybenzoic acid A3-methoxy-4- 0.096 g 0.096 g 0.096 g 0.096 g 0.096 g 0.096 ghydroxybenzoic acid A 4-hydroxycinamic 0.096 g 0.096 g 0.096 g 0.096 g0.096 g 0.096 g acid A 3,4- 0.096 g 0.096 g 0.112 g 0.096 g 0.096 g0.096 g dihydroxycinamic acid A 3-methoxy-4- 0.016 g 0.016 g 0.033 g0.106 g — — hydroxycinamic acid A Chlorogenic acid 0.006 g 0.006 g —0.223 g  0.06 g 0.223 g A Amide of 3,4- —  0.1 g — — — —dihydroxycinamic acid B Quinic acid^(a) 0.150 g 0.150 g 0.200 g 0.130 g0.150 g 0.130 g C Curcumin — — — — 0.032 g 0.201 g pH^(b) 5.5 6.5 5.56.5 5.5 6.5 Administration Oral Topical Oral Topical Oral Topical^(a)1,3,4,5-tetrahydrocyclohexanonecarboxylic acid^(b)The pH is adjusted with NaOH

Additionally, mixtures of additional components were prepared,identified as 1, 2, 3 in Table 2, and they were added to compositionsI-VI, giving rise to the compositions named I-1, I-2, I-3, II-1, II-2,II-3, III-1, III-2, III-3, IV-1, IV-2, IV-3, V-1, V-2, V-3, VI-1, VI-2,and VI-3, where the Roman numeral indicates the composition and theArabic figures indicate the additional components. The pH values of theresulting compositions were adjusted to 5.5 or 6.5 with the addition ofNaOH depending on the particular composition I-VI used. TABLE 2 Mixturesof additional components Component 1 2 3 D Fructose  0.7 g  0.7 g  0.7 gGlucose  1.7 g  1.7 g  1.7 g Mannose 0.05 g 0.05 g 0.05 g E Citric acid0.16 g 0.16 g 0.16 g Citrate 0.51 g  0.5 g  0.5 g Malic acid 0.09 g 0.09g — Fumaric acid — — 0.04 g Gluconic acid — — 0.07 g3-oxo-gulofuranolactone — 0.04 g —

-   -   1.2 Determination of the Antioxidant Capacity The antioxidant        capacity of the previously described composition was determined        using an in vitro assay known as the “FRAP method”.

The FRAP (ferric-reducing ability of plasma, or the capacity of plasmato reduce the ferric cation) is a calorimetric redox method with a highreproducibility and sensitivity, by which a change in absorbance at 593nm is monitored, which signifies a ferric-ferrous redox process (BenzieI. J and Strain J J. Methods in Enzymology, vol 299: Oxidants andantioxidants, Part A (1999).

Composition and preparation of the FRAP solution (prepared in thelaboratory):

Acetate buffer: 300 mM sodium acetate trihydrate pH 3.6 (3.1 g of sodiumacetate)+16 ml glacial acetic acid and make up to 1 L with distilledwater.

TPTZ: 10 mM of 2,4,6-tripyridyl-s-triazine in 40 mM HCl (2.27 mL of 37%HCl in 100 mL of Milli-Q water (10 mM TPTZ=0.312 g/100 mL of 40 mM HCl).

Ferric chloride: 20 mM ferric chloride hexahydrate (0.541 g/100 mL of pH3.6 acetate buffer).

Mix the three solutions beforehand in a ratio of 10:1:1 for the FRAPreagent. Keep the mixture at 37° C. during the test.

Briefly, 3 mL of FRAP reagent and 150 uL of sample under test (1 mg/mL)or control are mixed in a test tube. It is mixed and the absorbance ismeasured at 593 nm along with a positive and negative control. Thereaction is carried out for 300 seconds at 37° C.

The results are calculated according to the following formula:% FRAP (w/w)=100×[(A _(rel 300 secs)sample×[) trolox]/(A_(rel 300 sec)Trolox)×[sample]]where

(A_(rel 300 secs)sample) is the relative absorbance of the sample at 300seconds.

(A_(rel 300 sec)trolox) is the relative absorbance of the Trolox at 300seconds.

The results obtained showed that a quantity of 1 mg/mL of compositionsI-1, I-2, I-3, II-1, II-2, II-3, III-1, III-2, III-3, IV-1, IV-2, IV-3,V-1, V-2, V-3, VI-1, VI-2, and VI-3, included within the field of theinvention, had a high antioxidant capacity, of the order of 40-80% vs100% of the antioxidant capacity of the Trolox (reference molecule),that is to say, of the same order of magnitude as that of an isolatedand pure molecule, as the Trolox is, (the antioxidant capacity of theTrolox in the conditions tested is taken as a reference and the analysisof the antioxidant activity sample is a percentage of the value of 100which is assigned to the antioxidant activity of the Trolox) [Trolox]molecule of reference: derived from water soluble vitamin E:(R)-(+)-6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid. (SigmaChemicals Ltd)].

1.3 Survival and Proliferation of Irradiated Human keratinocytes andFibroblasts

The photoprotector effect of the compositions provided by this inventionhas been determined in two in vitro assays of cell survival andproliferation with fibroblasts and keratinocytes, cells present in theskin and therefore exposed to solar UV radiation which reaches thesurface of the earth. In both tests, the compositions provide by thisinvention demonstrated, against a severe ultraviolet challenge, aphotoprotector effect which enabled the functional structure of the cellpopulation to be maintained and that this proliferated at a pace near tothat of the non-irradiated control cells, ruling out their disappearanceby apoptosis as well as their cell hyperprofileration characteristic oftumour cells.

1.3.1 Cell Survival of Human keratinocytes Irradiated with UltravioletLight

The photoprotector effect of the compositions provided by the inventionwas determined in human keratinocyte cultures in survival tests in thepresence of UV radiation.

Briefly, single layers of human keratinocytes from HaCat cell line(Boulcamp P, Pertussovska R T, Breitkreuss D, Hornung J, Markham A,Fusenig N E. J Cell Biol. 1988, 106: 761-771), were washed twice withPBS (phosphate buffered saline) and irradiated in the presence of thecomposition of the invention at different determined doses in eachexperiment. The UVA radiation exposure doses were supplied in J/cm²(generally 5 J/cm²), while the doses of UVB radiation were supplied inmJ/cm² (generally 500 mJ/cm²). Next, they were cultivated in a completeculture medium. DMEM supplemented with 10 U/mL ofpenicillin-streptomycin, 10 mM glutamine and 10% foetal calf serum (allreagents from Sigma) and the cultures were incubated at 37° C. in a CO₂atmosphere of 5% until the samples were analysed (3 hours after theirradiation).

Cell survival is calculated by measuring the mitochondria dependentconversion of the tetrazolium salt MTT (Sigma) in a coloured formazanproduct. The cells were treated as has been indicated previously and,then the MTT compound (0.5 mg/mL) was added to each well and theresultant mixtures were incubated at 37° C. for 2 h. Next, the mediumwas carefully aspirated and 200 uL of acidified isopropyl alcohol wereadded to solubilise the coloured formazan product. The absorbance wasread at 550 nm in a multi-well beam spectrophotometer after vigorouslymixing the plates for 5 minutes.

The results obtained demonstrated that a quantity of 1 mg/mL ofcompositions I-1, I-2, I-3, II-1, II-2, II-3, III-1, III-2, III-3, IV-1,IV-2, IV-3, V-1, V-2, V-3, VI-1, VI-2, and VI-3, included within thefield of the invention, increased the cell survival in 70-80% of thecells exposed to UVA radiation intensities of 5 J/cm². The capacity ofsome of these compositions of the invention to improve the survival ofhuman keratinocytes after UVA radiation (5 J/cm²) or UVB (0.5 J/cm²),using HaCat human keratinocytes cell line is shown in Table 3. TABLE 3Survival of human keratinocytes (% with respect to the non-radiatedbaseline cells), after UVA or UVB radiation. Composition UVA UVB I-1 86± 2 75 ± 3 II-2 80 ± 3 70 ± 4 III-3 82 ± 3 71 ± 3 IV-1 82 ± 3 74 ± 3 V-285 ± 4 77 ± 2 VI-3 83 ± 2 73 ± 2 Irradiated control 40 ± 4 30 ± 4[Control: Cells irradiated with ultraviolet light, without treatment(the cells were used as they were)

1.3.2 Proliferation of Human Fibroblasts Irradiated with UltravioletLight

Human fibroblasts obtained from human donors were used which werecultivated in a complete culture medium, DMEM supplemented with 10 U/mLof penicillin-streptomycin, 10 mM glutamine and 10% foetal calf serum(all reagents from Sigma).

The primary human fibroblasts were cultured in 24 well plates and theculture medium (supplemented DMEM) was replaced with fresh Optimem 1medium (Gibco BRL). The cells were irradiated in the presence, or not,of the different treatments indicated in each case (Table 4). The mediumwas replaced with fresh Optimem 1 medium supplemented with 0.5% foetalcalf serum (FCS) and ³H-timidine (1 uCi/mL) was added. The cells werethen incubated at 37° C. for 24 h, they were washed twice with coldphosphate buffer saline (PBS) and were fixed for 20 minutes at 4° C.with 10% trichloracetic acid (TCA). Subsequently, the TCA was removedand the cells were washed twice with cold ethanol, they were dried withair and the cells were dissolved in 0.4 M NaOH for 10 minutes at 65° C.After the plate was cooled down, 5 uL of acetic acid was added to eachwell and the contents were transferred to scintillation vials where theywere mixed with 3 mL of scintillation fluid. Finally, the radioactivityin each vial was measured in a β radiation counter for 1 minute.

The protector activity of the compositions tested (I-1, I-2, I-3, II-1,II-2, II-3, III-1, III-2, III-3, IV-1, IV-2, IV-3, V-1, V-2, V-3, VI-1,VI-2, and VI-3) enabled the cells not only to survive but also tomaintain the development of their functions. The cells irradiated withUV light lost their proliferative capacity, while the cells irradiatedand then incubated with the different compositions of the inventionstayed alive (>75%), being able to proliferate at levels near to thoseof non-irradiated cells (see Table 4, where the results of the cellstreated with some of the compositions tested are shown). TABLE 4Proliferative capacity of human fibroblasts irradiated with UVA TestConditions % cell proliferation Control − UVA 100 Control + UVA 5 J/cm210 ± 5.2 Cells + I-1 (1 mg/mL) − UVA 90 ± 2.1 Cells + I-1 (1 mg/mL) +UVA 5 J/cm² 80 ± 3.3 Cells + II-2 (1 mg/mL) − UVA 88 ± 2.1 Cells + II-2(1 mg/mL) + UVA 5 J/cm² 75 ± 4.2 Cells + IV-2 (1 mg/mL) − UVA 95 ± 1.3Cells + IV-2 (1 mg/mL) + UVA 5 J/cm² 78 ± 4.0

1.4 Effect of a Composition of the Invention on the Isomerisation oftrans-urocanic Acid

Urocanic acid (UCA) is a deaminated histidine and is an activechromophore for UVB radiation. It is localised in the stratum corneum,acting thus as a natural photoprotector reagent.

The trans-UCA isomers on the skin are photo-isomerised after theabsorption of UVB photons, being transformed into cis-UCA, which is acandidate as a putative mediator of some immunosupressor effects of UVradiation (van der Molen R G, Garssen J, de Klerk A, Claaus F H, NorvalM, van Loveren H, Koerten H K, Mommaas A M. Photochem. Photobiol. Sci2002, 8: 592-596).

In an unexpected way, by irradiating t-UCA with UVA, it is isomerised tocis-UCA. This can be due to that although UCA shows a maximum absorbanceat 260-270 nm in the UVC radiation range (200-280 nm), it is itsabsorbance in the solar range (295-400 nm; UVB/UVA) which is relevantwhen the photobiological consequences it initiates are taken intoaccount.

The control sample is a solution of 0.5 mg/mL of trans-UCA in 0.025%HCl. The analysis by HPLC is carried out using a flow of 1 mL/min and adiode array detector. The stationary phase is a Phenomanex Luna 250×4.6mm (5um) and the mobile phase is a 10 mM ammonium phosphate buffer+0.4mM ammonium tetrabutyl hydroxide, pH=7.2-7.5: acetonitrile (96:4 v/v).20 uL of the trans-UCA solution are injected and is detected at 278 nm.

To study the formation of cis-UCA by HPLC, the 0.5 mg/mL of trans-UCAsolution is irradiated with UVA radiation for 120 mins (UVA dose, 12J/cm²) and the appearance of the peak corresponding to cis-UCA isobserved. To observe the inhibition of the isomerisation, samples of 0.5mg/mL of trans-UCA are prepared in the presence of variousconcentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg/mL) of the compositions tested(I-1, II-1, III-3 and V-1) and are irradiated for 120 minutes.

The results of the tests carried out are shown in Table 5 anddemonstrate that the tested compositions block the isomerisation of thetrans-UCA induced by 12 J/cm² of UVA light. TABLE 5 Isomerisation ofurocanic acid induced by ultraviolet A light (UVA) (%) Without 2.00treatment 0.50 mg/mL 1.00 mg/mL 1.5 mg/mL mg/mL I-1 100 73 ± 5.1 43 ±4.0 34 ± 2.9 32 ± 3.5 II-1 100 72 ± 4.0 40 ± 4.3 34 ± 3.8 33 ± 3.2 III-3100 68 ± 3.8 38 ± 3.2 32 ± 4.2 29 ± 3.9 V-1 100 65 ± 4.1 35 ± 3.8 30 ±2.6 26 ± 2.7

1.5 Inhibition of the Immunosuppressor Effect of Ultraviolet Radiationin a Mouse Model with Hypersensitivity to Contact with oxazolone.

As is known, UV radiation is capable of inducing a state ofimmunosuppression of the immune response. For example, when in an mouseexperimental model, the mice are exposed to small sensitising molecules,such as oxazolone, and days later they are exposed to the same molecule,the mice suffer a strong immune reaction induced by an inflammatoryinfiltrate. When these animals are irradiated with an ultraviolet lampin the location of the first application, the characteristic immuneresponse is not produced.

The inventors have tested the immunosupressor effect of UV radiation ina mouse model of hypersensitivity to contact with oxazolone (CD1 mice,Charles River Laboratories, Barcelona, Spain) with differentcompositions provided by this invention (1-1 and V-3), observing that,when these compositions are administered orally, the mice are,surprisingly, protected from the immunosuppressor effect of UVradiation.

The CD1 mice (40 mice) were adapted at the site in temperaturecontrolled (22° C.) conditions and a relative humidity between 50-70%and with alternative light/dark cycles every 12 hours, and were splitinto the groups shown in Table 6. Briefly, the control group of micewere given water and were not subjected to UVB radiation and oxazolonewas not applied on them. These mice did not have any immune orinflammatory reaction. The group assigned as the positive controlconsisted of a group of mice which were treated with water and hadoxazolone applied topically, without being exposed at any time to UVBradiation. These mice developed a strong inflammatory reaction in theoxazolone application area. The group assigned as the negative controlwere treated with water, and oxazolone was applied primarily in the areaexposed to UVB radiation (on two occasions) and subsequently it wasapplied again in the ear pavilion. This negative control group presentedwith a significant inhibition of the inflammatory response. Finally, thegroup of mice treated orally with the two test compositions of theinvention, (1-1 and V-3), were irradiated with UVB and oxazolone wasapplied on them both in area of exposure (on two occasions) andsubsequently in the ear pavilion similar to the negative control group,unexpectedly, the groups treated with the compositions of the inventionhad an immune response close to that of the positive control group.TABLE 6 Application of Group UVB Radiation oxazolone Oral TreatmentControl mice Yes No Water Positive control No Yes Water Negative controlYes Yes Water (irradiated) Mice with I-1 Yes Yes 8 + 8 mg/kg* Mice withV-3 Yes Yes 8 + 8 mg/kg**Compositions I-1 and V-3 were administered orally at 48 hours, 24 hoursand half an hour before giving the second UVB radiation to the mice and24 hours before and just after applying the oxazolone for the secondtime.

The radiation conditions were those described by Winder et al (Einder CV, Wax J, Burr V, Bean M and Rosiere C E. A study of Pharmacologicalinfluences on ultraviolet erythema in guinea pigs. Arch. Int.Pharmacodyn. 116: 261-292, 1958) with slight modifications described byWendy et al (Wendy J, McDonald-Gibson S A, Saed S A, and Schneider. Thelocal antinoceptive and topical anti-inflammatory effects of propylgallate in rodents. Br. J Pharmacol. 58: 573-581, 1978).

The animals were protected from ultraviolet light by covering them witha sheet of aluminium in which an opening of 1×1 cm was made over theabdomen. They were placed 8 cm from the UVB lamp with a UVC filter andwere irradiated twice, with an interval of 24 hours.

The animals were treated orally with the product and, with water in thecase of the control mice at 48 hours, 24 hours and half an hour beforethe second exposure to ultraviolet radiation. After the irradiations, asolution of 2% oxazolone in acetone was applied and they were againadministered with the product. The animals then remained in their cagesfor 7 days. On the seventh day of the second application of oxazolone,the thickness of the ears were determined and a third dose of 2%oxazolone was applied to both ear pavilions. On the following day thethickness of the right ear was measured (Table 7) and the animal wassacrificed. The two ear pavilions were extirpated and were weighed(Table 8) on a precision balance. The statistical significance wasevaluated using the Student t test.

The results displayed in Tables 7 and 8 show that compositions 1-1 andV-3 exercise an unexpected photoprotector effect by inhibition of theimmunosuppressor effect induced by ultraviolet radiation in this mouseof hypersensitivity by contact with oxazolone. TABLE 7 Effect on thehypersensitivity reaction by contact. Results expressed as changes inthickness of the ear pavilion due to the effect of the inflammatoryreaction to oxazolone in the sensitised mouse. % recovery vs. % ΔFinal-initial negative control GROUP thickness (irradiated) Blank  18.8± 6.58 — Positive control +148.9 ± 19.66 — Negative control +70.85 ±19.66 — (irradiated) Treated with I-1 +251.7 ± 47.06 +231.74 Treatedwith V-3 +181.8 ± 34.21 +142.23* P < .05 compared to the negative control.

TABLE 8 Effect on the hypersensitivity reaction by contact. Resultsexpressed as changes in the weight of the ear pavilion due to an effectof the inflammatory reaction to oxazolone in a sensitised mouse. %recovery vs. negative GROUP %Δ Final-initial weight control (irradiated)Blank 171.08 ± 6.65 — Positive control 311.00 ± 12.60 — Negative control184.54 ± 24.91 — (irradiated) Treated with I-1 263.57 ± 21.03 62.49Treated with V-3 273.02 ± 22.53 69.90* P < .05 compared to the negative control.

1. A composition which comprises of a component A and a component B, where; (A) aforementioned component A is selected from a group formed by: (A.1) a component A.1 of formula (I)

where R¹ is H or CH₃ X represents OH: OR², where R² is alkyl C₁-C₂ or the residue of a hydroxylated carboxylic acid of formula

NH₂; m is 0 or 1; y q is 0 or 1: or a salt of the same; (A.2) a component A.2 of formula (II)

where R³ is H or CH₃; Y represents OH; OR², where R² has the previously mentioned significances; or NH₂; n is 0 or 1; y r is 0 or 1; or a salt of the same; (A.3) a component A.3 of formula (III)

where R represents (I) a residue of formula (I)

where R¹, X, m and q have the previously mentioned significances; or (II) a residue of formula (II)

where R , Y, n and r have the previously mentioned significances; (A.4) a component A.4 of formula (IV)

where R has the previously indicated significance; (A.5) a component A.5 of formula (V)

where R has the previously indicated significance; and (A.6) mixtures of the same; and (B) the aforementioned component B is selected from a group made up of quinic acid, shikimic acid, their alkaline metal or alkaline earth salts, their methyl esters and mixtures of the same.
 2. A composition according to claim 1, in which the aforementioned components A and B are to be present in a ratio of component A: component B of 1-10:1 by weight, preferably between 1.6-9:1 by weight, and more preferably between 2-9:1 by weight.
 3. A composition according to claim 1, where in the aforementioned component A.1, X is OR² where R² is a C₁-C₂ alkyl.
 4. A composition according to claim 1, where in the aforementioned component A.1, X is NH₂.
 5. A composition according to claim 1, where in the aforementioned component A.1 is in the form of a alkaline metal or alkaline earth salt.
 6. A composition according to claim 1, where in the aforementioned component A.2, Y is OR² where R² is a C₁-C₂ alkyl.
 7. A composition according to claim 1, where in the aforementioned component A.2, Y is NH₂.
 8. A composition according to claim 1, where in the aforementioned component A.2 is in the form of a alkaline metal or alkaline earth salt
 9. A composition according to claim 1, where in the aforementioned component A.2 is the trans isomer.
 10. A composition according to claim 1, where in the aforementioned component A.3 is glucose glycoside.
 11. A composition according to claim 1, where in the aforementioned component A.4 is fructose glycoside.
 12. A composition according to claim 1, where in the aforementioned component A.5 is a rhamnose glycoside.
 13. A composition according to claim 1, in which the aforementioned component A is composed of one or more components (A.1), or of one or more of components (A.2), or of one or more components (A.3), or of one or more components (A.4), or of one or more components (A.5), or of any mixture of 2 or more of the aforementioned components (A.1) to (A.5), where each one of the components (A.1) to (A.5) can be composed, in their part, by one or more components of the same group.
 14. A composition according to claim 13, in which the aforementioned component A comprises (i) at least two different components (A.1), and at least, two different components (A.2).
 15. Composition according to claim 14, in which the molar component (A.1):component (A.2) ratio is between 0.5 and
 2. 16. Composition according to claim 1, where the aforementioned component B is selected between quinic acid, an alkaline or alkaline earth metal salt of quinic acid a methyl ester of quinic acid, shikimic acid, an alkaline or alkaline earth metal salt of shikimic acid, a methyl ester of shikimic acid and their mixtures.
 17. Composition according to claim 1, which comprises, besides, one or more components selected from the group formed by component C, component D, component E, component F and their mixtures, in which: aforementioned component C is selected from the group made up of: (C.1) a component C.1 of the formula (VI)

where R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, and R¹¹, equal or different, independent of each other, represent H, OH, OR³, —CH═CH—COY, or —COY where R³ is H or CH₃, or a CH═CH—COY group, where Y represents OH, OR² where R² is C₁-C₂ alkyl or the residue of a hydroxylated carboxylic acid of the formula;

NH₂; or a salt of the same; with the condition that (i) at least two of R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, or R¹¹ are, simultaneously, OH, (ii) one of R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, or R¹¹ is OR³ , (iii) the maximum number of hydroxyl groups present is 3, and (iv) one of R⁴, R5, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, or R¹¹ is —CH═CH—COY or —COY; (C.2) a component C.2 of formula (VII)

where R⁶ represents H or an OH, OR³, or —CH═CH—COY group where R³ and Y have the significances previously mentioned, or a salt of the same; (C.3) a component C.3 of formula (VIII)

where R¹² and R¹³, equal or different, independently of each other, represent H or CH₃; Z represents —CH₂—, O, S or NH; o is 0 or 1; and p is 0 or 1, and (C.4) their mixtures; said component D is selected between one or more free monosaccharides; aforementioned component E is selected from the group made up of an acid of the Krebs cycle, an alkaline metal or alkaline earth salt of an acid of the Krebs cycle, a mono-, di-, or trimethyl ester of an acid of the Krebs cycle, aldaric acid, an alkaline metal or alkaline earth salt of aldaric acid, a lactonised derivative of aldaric acid, aldonic acid, an alkaline metal or alkaline earth salt of aldonic acid, a lactonised derivative of aldonic acid, or mixtures of these compounds; and aforementioned component F is selected from a group made up of a water soluble vitamin, a water soluble derivative of a lipid soluble vitamin, and their mixtures.
 18. Composition according to claim 17, which comprises of the aforementioned component C in a concentration of between 0.1% and 10% by weight in respect to the total composition, preferably between 0.5% and 5%.
 19. Composition according to claim 18, in which the aforementioned component C.1 is the trans isomer.
 20. Composition according to claim 18, in which the aforementioned component C.2 is the trans isomer.
 21. Composition according to claim 18, in which the aforementioned component C.3 is the trans-trans isomer.
 22. Composition according to claim 18, in which the aforementioned component C is composed of one or more components (C.1); or one or more components (C.2); or one or more components (C.3); or mixtures of one or more components (C.1) and (C.2); or mixtures of one or more components (C.1) and (C.3); or mixtures of one or more components (C.2) and (C.3); or mixtures of one or more components (C.1), (C.2) and (C.3).
 23. Composition according to claim 18, in which the aforementioned component C comprises of at least, a component (C.3).
 24. Composition according to claim 17, which comprises of the aforementioned component D in a concentration comprising of between 35% and 90% by weight in respect to the total weight of the composition, preferably between 45% and 65%.
 25. Composition according to claim 24, in which the aforementioned component D is selected from glucose, rhamnose and fructose, in any of their possible configurations.
 26. Composition according to claim 17, in which the aforementioned component E is in a concentration comprising of between 5% and 30% by weight in respect of the total of the composition, preferably between 10% and 20%.
 27. Composition according to claim 26, in which the aforementioned component E comprises of one or more acids of the Krebs cycle, preferably, citric, fumaric or malic acid, and/or one or more of their alkaline metal or alkaline earth salts, and/or one or more of their mono-, di-, or tri-methyl esters, and/or one or more aldaric acids, and/or one or more aldonic acids, and/or one or more of the alkaline metal or alkaline earth salts of the aforementioned aldaric and/or aldonic acids, and/or one or more aldaric and/or aldonic acids in lactone form.
 28. Composition according to claim 17, in which the aforementioned component F is in a concentration comprising of between 4% and 20% by weight in respect of the total of the composition, preferably between 8% and 12%.
 29. Composition according to claim 28, in which the aforementioned component F comprises of ascorbic acid or a water soluble derivative of tocopherol, or its mixtures.
 30. Composition according to claim 1, consisting of 65-90% by weight of component A and 35-10% by weight of component B, preferably, between 74-86% by weight of component A and between 26-14% by weight of component B, in which the ratio of component A: component B is 1-10:1 by weight.
 31. Composition according to claim 1, consisting of a ternary mixture made up of components A and B and a third component selected from component C, component D, component E and component F.
 32. Composition according to claim 1, consisting of a quaternary mixture made up of components A and B and two other components selected from components C, D, E and F.
 33. Composition according to claim 32, consisting of components A, B, D and E.
 34. Composition according to claim 33, consisting of: 5-35% by weight of component A+component B, where the ratio of component A: component B is 1-10:1 by weight; 35-90% by weight of component D, and 5-30% by weight of component E.
 35. Composition according to claim 1, consisting of a mixture of 5 components made up of components A and B and three components selected from components C, D, E and F.
 36. Composition according to claim 35, consisting of components A, B, D, E and F.
 37. Composition according to claim 36, consisting of; 5-35% by weight of component A+component B, where the ratio of component A: component B is 1-10:1 by weight; 30-85% by weight of component D, 5-20% by weight of component E; and 5-15% by weight of component F.
 38. Composition according to claim 1, consisting of components A, B, C, D, E and F.
 39. Composition according to claim 38, consisting of; 5-30% by weight of component A+component B, where the ratio of component A: component B is I - 10:1 by weight; 1-5% by weight of component C; 30-84% by weight of component D, 5-20% by weight of component E; and 5-15% by weight of component F.
 40. Composition according to claim 1, in solid phase.
 41. Composition according to claim 1, in liquid phase.
 42. Composition according to claim 41, in the form of an aqueous solution with a pH of between 4.8 and 6.8, preferably, between 5 and 6.5.
 43. A pharmaceutical composition which consists of a therapeutically effective quantity of a composition according to claim 1 together with, at least, one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
 44. A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 43, in a pharmaceutical form suitable for its oral or topical administration.
 45. Use of a composition according to claim 1, in the preparation of a drug or pharmaceutical composition to protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation.
 46. Use of a composition according to claim 1, in the preparation of a drug or pharmaceutical composition to prevent or minimise the harmful effects produced by UV radiation on the skin.
 47. A cosmetic composition which comprises of a composition according to claim 1, together with, a cosmetically acceptable excipient.
 48. A food supplement which comprises of a composition according to claim 1, together with, one or more acceptable vehicles.
 49. A food supplement according to claim 48, in which the aforementioned supplement comprises of amino acids, plant extracts, antioxidant molecules, prebiotic lactic bacteria, yeasts for food use or mixtures of the same.
 50. A functional food which consists of a composition according to claim 1, together with one or more acceptable vehicles.
 51. A functional food according to claim 50, of which the food basis of the aforementioned food comprises of milk, cheese, yoghourt, fermented products based on milk, ice creams, products based on fermented cereals, biscuits, fruit juices, cold drinks or plant infusions.
 52. A method to protect the skin of an individual from UV radiation which comprises of administering to the aforementioned individual a therapeutically effective quantity of a composition according to claim
 1. 